Dog Training Follow Through, the importance of Consistency.

When consulting with a prospective training client, I am often asked “How much training will my dog need?”. My answer, “That depends on many variables. Your dog of course, but mostly on your consistency and follow through in applying the techniques you will be learning.”. [Read more…]

Living In Fear, Helping Your Fearful Dog Gain Confidence

Living a life filled with fear or anxiety is no fun for humans or dogs. In fact, it is a terrible way to live. Feelings of anxiety, nervousness and fear flood the body with toxic chemicals and can shorten a lifespan. Helping your fearful dog gain confidence can be as simple as introducing exercise into their routine, implementing basic obedience skills, coping skills and using something pleasurable (food or toys) to change the way your dog feels about the fearful object or environment.

Bad Dog or Bored Dog?

Is your dog bad or just bored?

If you ask me, there are no bad dogs, really. They are either bored and/or maybe just haven’t been taught desirable positive behaviors. Dogs don’t want to misbehave. Quite the contrary, they want to make you happy. However, even when they have been taught/trained basic manners, if they are not getting what they need in terms of daily mental stimulation and physical exercise they may vent that energy in undesirable not to mention, negative ways.

The Dangers of Foxtails and Your Pet

Foxtails -A foxtail is a spikelet or spikelet cluster of a grass, that serves to disperse its seeds as a unit. Thus the foxtail is a type of diaspore or “plant dispersal unit”. Some grasses that produce a foxtail are themselves called “foxtail“, also “spear grass”. – wikipedia

These “foxtail like” weed clusters have barbs that when disturbed, fall and work their way into the ground making it hard for the cluster to come loose from the dirt. The outside part of the cluster also harbors bacteria composed of enzymes that break down cellular matter. [Read more…]

Coconut Oil for Dogs. Hot or Hype?

It seems every time you turn around there is a new discovery. What’s old is new, what’s new is old. Currently Coconut based products are all the rage. What are the benefits and downsides and how does this apply to your pets?? Coconut Oil for Dogs, Hot or Hype?

Coconut Oil is a Tropical Treat! Considered a “Superfood” Coconut Oil provides many benefits to pets (and people). From improving [Read more…]

As a professional, while dog walking we may meet your neighbors and they may ask “When will she be back?” “I don’t know.” Wait! You don’t know when your clients are coming back from their vacation? You won’t tell a well-meaning neighbor (supposedly) that your client will be back on X day? It’s not like they are going to break in or anything! Sheesh! Maybe they were just making conversation. Maybe they are on Neighborhood watch duty and the Lilburn pet sitter looked suspicious.

My dog walking logo tshirt can be scary to some people!

I get it. I look totally creepy. While dog walking my jeans and company T-shirt are alarming. Maybe it’s my hair? The [Read more…]

Is your dog eating your sofa? Digging holes in your back yard? Barking at everything that moves (or isn’t moving)? Or maybe he’s sedentary, bored out of his mind and depressed AKA lays around all day. Have you challenged your dog’s brain lately?

If not then maybe it’s time for some brain building activities! Here are some fun ways you can enrich your dog’s life through stimulating and fun activities.

Slo Bowls – a fun way to eat! These dog bowls keep meals interesting and slow your dog down so they can savor their meals instead of inhaling them. Dog’s find interesting ways to get their food out and it isn’t just by licking!

Teach your dog tricks! Really a command is just a trick that you have taught your dog. Any time your dog is learning something new it is enriching their life. Even simple tricks like shake, roll over, High five, give kiss, and more challenge your dog’s brain and are great ways to get your dog [Read more…]

Spring is just around the corner and with it a host of hazardous things for your pet to get into! Here are some tips on keeping pets safe this spring.

Plants are springing forth and unless you know exactly what’s what, keep your dog from eating, chewing and even digging around plants, mushrooms etc. Things like daffodil bulbs, crocus, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth, Iris and more are all spring blooming and as such pose a threat to your pet. For an in depth poisonous plant list click here.

Snakes Alive! It’s hatchling season and you may have noticed that baby snakes are out and about. Snakes are obviously dangerous for your dog or cat but baby snakes are even more dangerous because they haven’t yet learned to regulate the amount of venom they inject when lashing out to defend themselves against an unsuspecting dog or cat. So typically they inject all they have. Yikes! This can be deadly for your pet. If you suspect a snake bite get your pet to your veterinarian immediately and take a photo of the snake if possible as this will help your vet determine an anti-venom. [Read more…]

Keeping your dog cool when temperatures soar is easy if you follow these 6 simple tips.

When temperatures are extreme whether hot or cold dogs still need exercise. Young dogs, puppies or high energy breeds can get cabin fever and become destructive if kept inside for to long without a way to release excess mental and physical energy.

It’s easy to use the excuse that it is too hot or cold to take your dog for a walk but remember that our dogs are solely reliant on us for their needs and one of their main needs is exercise. [Read more…]